Program Management is the process of managing multiple ongoing inter-dependent projects that are designed to deliver benefits to the host organization
Program Management reflects the emphasis on coordinating and prioritizing resources across projects, departments, and entities to ensure that resource contention is managed from a global focus
Program management provides a layer above project management focusing on selecting the best group of programs, defining them in terms of their constituent projects and providing an infrastructure where projects can be run successfully
"Program management is the active process of managing multiple global workstreams or projects which need to meet or exceed business goals according to a pre-determined methodology or life-cycle. Program management focuses on tighter integration, closely knit communications and more control over program resources and priorities." [IAPPM -2003]
Program definitions: (Program in the USA & Programme in the UK/Europe)
Large, complex deliveries are often broken down into manageable, inter-related projects. For those managing this overall delivery the principles of program management are key to delivering on time and within budget
Program Management is the process of managing multiple ongoing inter-dependent projects. In an organization or enterprise, Program Management also reflects the emphasis on coordinating and prioritizing resources across projects, departments, and entities to ensure that resource conflicts are managed from a global focus
The UK government through the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has invested heavily in program management Program management provides a layer above project management focusing on selecting the best group of programs, defining them in terms of their constituent projects and providing an infrastructure where projects can be run successfully but leaving project management to the project management community
Programme management responsibilities can vary. For instance, manufacturing program management responsibilities will be much different than programme management responsibilities for an IT programme